How can I handle this situation?

["Phil Sager" <philsa@mts.net>]

In trying to set up iptables I get the following messages. Can someone
please tell me what I have to do to correct it. Please don't tell me that I
have to compile the kernel (unless you have to ;])

I have been trying to get a working copy of Debian Linux up for over a week.
I have had everything working except ipchains in 2.2 and now iptables in
2.4. I can't get on the web to upgrade until I get these working, even
though I can connetc to the net.

deb:/# iptables -L -v
Note: /etc/modules.conf is more recent than
/lib/modules/2.4.18-bf2.4/modules.dep

deb:/# uname -a
Linux deb 2.4.18-bf2.4 #1 Son Apr 14 09:53:28 CEST 2002 i586 unknown

deb:/# modprobe ip_tables
Note: /etc/modules.conf is more recent than
/lib/modules/2.4.18-bf2.4/modules.dep
/lib/modules/2.4.18-bf2.4/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/ip_tables.o:
init_module: Device or resource busy
Hint: insmod errors can be caused by incorrect module parameters, including
invalid IO or IRQ parameters
/lib/modules/2.4.18-bf2.4/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/ip_tables.o: insmod
/lib/modules/2.4.18-bf2.4/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/ip_tables.o failed
/lib/modules/2.4.18-bf2.4/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/ip_tables.o: insmod
ip_tables failed

deb:/# iptables -L
Note: /etc/modules.conf is more recent than
/lib/modules/2.4.18-bf2.4/modules.dep
/lib/modules/2.4.18-bf2.4/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/ip_tables.o:
init_module: Device or resource busy
Hint: insmod errors can be caused by incorrect module parameters, including
invalid IO or IRQ parameters
/lib/modules/2.4.18-bf2.4/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/ip_tables.o: insmod
/lib/modules/2.4.18-bf2.4/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/ip_tables.o failed
/lib/modules/2.4.18-bf2.4/kernel/net/ipv4/netfilter/ip_tables.o: insmod
ip_tables failed
iptables v1.2.6a: can't initialize iptables table `filter': iptables who?
(do you need to insmod?)
Perhaps iptables or your kernel needs to be upgraded.

I guess what I need is an answer to that last question Linux is asking.

Thanks in advance...I appreciate any and all help...

Phil.